Providing information, education, and training to build knowledge, develop skills, and change attitudes that will lead to increased independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion (IPSII) for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS--A new law will allow thousands of seniors
and adults with disabilities in Massachusetts to choose supports to stay in
their own homes rather than being forced into nursing homes.

On August 3, Governor Mitt Romney signed into law House Bill 5203, known
as the "Equal Choice Bill". The bill received unanimous support in the House
last month.

The law allows people who are eligible for long-term care services under
the state's Medicaid program to have the choice of in-home supports, such as
visiting nursing services, house cleaning, and home-delivered meals, instead of
nursing facilities. For a person housed in a nursing home but who is eligible
for community supports, Medicaid funds would follow that person to the
community. Those who are referred to nursing homes would first be informed of
their alternatives.

"This law says that people with disabilities are capable and worthy of
participating in the full measure of community life," said Al Norman, Executive
Director of Mass Home Care, which championed the measure.

Susan E. Temper, executive director of the community service agency
Springwell, wrote in a letter to the Daily News Tribune: "Seniors and adults
with disabilities want to be cared for at home as a first resort -- and the
Equal Choice Bill will now give them the choice to live independently in the
community."

Lawmakers who supported the measure said the state would save $134
million over the next five years because in-home supports costs about half as
much as nursing homes.

The GCDD is funded under the provisions of P.L. 106-402. The federal law also provides funding to the Minnesota Disability Law Center,the state Protection and Advocacy System, and to the Institute on Community Integration, the state University Center for Excellence. The Minnesota network of programs works to increase the IPSII of people with developmental disabilities and families into community life.